Method and system for managing imaging data

Abstract

A method and system for managing imaging data are provided. In one aspect, imaging data is stored in combination with user-generated information relating to the imaging data. In various other aspects, an image file header structure including user-generated information, a software editing tool to record user-generated information, and an imaging display tool to correlate imaging data and user-generated information are provided.

Having thus described the preferred embodiments, the invention is now claimed to be: 
     
       1. A method for combining imaging data with user-generated information relating to the imaging data, the method comprising:
 generating a user interface on a display of an imaging system comprising an image processor, wherein generating the user interface comprises: 
 generating a first window comprising an image display tool; and generating a second window comprising a user record tool; wherein the first window and the second window are displayed separately and concurrently; 
 providing the imaging data in an image display portion of the image display tool; recording user-generated information concerning the imaging data in a record portion of the user record tool entered by a first user via a user input operatively connected to the imaging system, wherein the user-generated information comprises a first marker link to another record of user-generated information concerning the imaging data entered by a second user and a second marker link to a region of interest within the imaging data; and 
 storing a record of the user-generated information, and associating the record with the imaging data so that the imaging data and the user-generated information record are stored and transferred together. 
 
     
     
       2. An imaging system for combining imaging data with user-generated information relating to the imaging data, the imaging system comprising an image processor, a display operatively connected to the image processor, and software embodied on a tangible medium and readable by the image processor, the software comprising logic to:
 generate a user interface on the display, wherein generating the user interface comprises: 
 generating a first window comprising an image display tool; and 
 generating a second window comprising a user record tool; 
 wherein the first window and the second window are displayed separately and concurrently; 
 provide the imaging data in an image display portion of the image display tool; 
 record user-generated information concerning the imaging data in a record portion of the user record tool entered by a first user via a user input operatively connected to the image processor, wherein the user-generated information comprises a first marker link to another record of user-generated information concerning the imaging data entered by a second user; 
 provide a second marker link between the user-generated information and a region of interest within the imaging data; and 
 store a record of the user-generated information, and associate the record with the imaging data so that the imaging data and the user-generated information record are stored and transferred together. 
 
     
     
       3. An imaging system for combining reconstructed image data with user-generated information relating to reconstructed imaging data, the imaging system comprising an image processor, a display operatively connected to the image processor, and software embodied on a tangible medium and readable by the image processor, the software comprising logic to:
 reconstruct an acquired imaging data to generate the reconstructed imaging data; 
 generate a user interface on the display, wherein generating the user interface comprises: 
 generating a first window comprising an image display tool; and 
 generating a second window comprising a user record tool; 
 wherein the first window and the second window are displayed separately and concurrently; 
 provide the reconstructed imaging data in an image display portion of the image display tool; 
 record user-generated information concerning the reconstructed imaging data in a record portion of the user record tool entered by a first user via a user input operatively connected to the image processor, wherein the user-generated information comprises a first marker link to another record of user-generated information concerning the imaging data entered by a second user; 
 provide a second marker link between the user-generated information and a region of interest within the reconstructed imaging data; and 
 store a record of the user-generated information, and associate the record with the reconstructed imaging data so that the reconstructed imaging data and the user-generated information record are stored and transferred together.